A few words, photos, random thoughts shared with my family and friends. If anything you see here makes you laugh or touches you in some way, please leave a comment or send me an email so I know you are out there.

Monday, June 30, 2008

Because July is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month, I thought you would like to read some interesting facts about rabbits. You might learn something new.

Rabbits are not rodents, they are lagomorphs. There are two families in the order of Lagomorphs: 1. Hares and Rabbits and 2. Pikas. I am Pika. Hear me Roar.

A male rabbit is a buck. A female rabbit is a doe. A baby rabbit is a kit.When the doe gives birth her babies are collectively referred to as a litter.The gestation period for a rabbit averages 31 days.A rabbits teeth never stop growing.The American Rabbit Breeders Association has 45 recognized breeds of rabbits

The Irish rabbit feeds on shamrocks and lives in close proximity to leprechauns.

A pet rabbit can live as long as 10 yearsBunnies get weaned at about 8 weeks old

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Well, I am not usually so impressed by a movie that I would write a review, but yesterday Ed and I saw one called Young at Heart. It is a documentary that I heard about on Sunday Morning CBS a few weeks ago. When I saw it was showing at the Bijou in downtown Chattanooga, I told Ed we HAD to go see it and away we went. I was not disappointed, in fact I was blown away. We were two of 8 people in the theater and it is a shame because I think everyone should see it.

I suggest that each of you run, don't walk, to the nearest theater where it is playing before it disappears. If you have to drive a ways, it's well worth the time and the gas. For you folks at home in MA, it is currently showing in West Newton and a theater in Arlington. If you just can't seem to find it anywhere near your home, I hope you buy the DVD when it comes out. This movie is for anyone who loves to sing, loves to listen to singers, loves people and loves life. We laughed out loud, cried and just thoroughly enjoyed the whole 2 hours. Can you tell I loved it?

Without giving too much away it is about a Northampton, MA chorus called Young At Heart that is made up of senior citizens. These elders, some of whom had never sung in public until they were over 80, sing rock and roll in a way you have never heard before. James Brown's I Feel Good is one of the songs they do and Dylan's Forever Young will just amaze you.

You see the chorus at rehearsal, get to know many of the members of the chorus and the director.

All the performances are terrific but one or two numbers will stay with you.There is a performance at a local jail that you won't forget. And I have a crush on Fred Knittles. He's 83 and what a voice he has. You'll love him, too.

The chorus director, Bob Cilman, a youngster at age 53, has been their director since 1982. Of course there is a lot of turnover in the members and in this group that's a special challenge for director and chorus alike. I do wish the documentary told a little more of the director's story, but maybe that will come out in the feature film I heard they were making about the group.

Here is a link to the trailer for the documentary that will give you a little teaser.

Please go to see this movie. You will not regret it. I am going to buy their CD on- line because I just can't get enough of them. They are just finishing up a tour that included Boston and Northampton, New York City and CA. But, they have been to Europe more than once and I think they even traveled to Australia for a tour.

Go to their website www.youngatheartchorus.com/ to learn a little more about the group, if you like. But don't preview too many of their songs. It might spoil the surprises.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

What an absolutely gorgeous Sunday morning here in Ooltewah. I hope you are enjoying your day as much as I am mine.

(remember to click on the pictures to enlarge them.)

The back deck on our house has this magical pull, for some reason, for both humans and hummingbirds alike. The view in one direction is just of houses and backyards, some power lines and a school.

But, we are up high on a hill, the deck is 10 or 12 feet off the ground and if you look to the west, there are woods and all you see are trees and sky. We are treated to some pretty amazing sunsets, too.

This morning, like most mornings, I brought my coffee out on the deck. Having run to the store to pick up the Sunday Chattanooga Times Free Press, I was all ready to spend some time with the latest news and shopping flyers. Now, when I am on the beach with the latest summer novel, I always have every intention of getting deep into the book, in fact I eagerly look forward to it. But, for some reason, with the ocean right there in front of me, my eyes are drawn to the water and I am lost at sea. And this morning, like when I am at the ocean, trying to concentrate on reading was just as futile.

The warm gentle breeze, the vivid colors and the occasional soft scent of nearby flowers, the birdsong, and quiet activity of the local wildlife was just too distracting, too mesmerizing.

So, I folded up the paper and just settled in and took in what was happening all around me, just enjoying being in the present moment.

A rabbit out by the neighbor's fence nibbled on the grass under the young apple tree and a bluebird sitting on a branch above, appeared brighter blue than usual against the pale yellow of the abundant golden delicious apples there. Along with mockingbirds and sparrows, chicadees and mockingbirds, the dove family of four roosted in a nearby oak tree, cooing and enjoying each other's company and the cardinal couples we always see were sharing their songs with anyone who would listen. I didn't even mind the squirrels hopping around digging near the tree trunks; and those of you who know my history with squirrels might find that surprising.

As I sat there taking it all in, I wanted so much to share it with someone. Ed was working so I couldn't share it with him. And the memory of spending time out there on the deck first with Kitty and Rick and then with Dad and Inez when they came for visits in May was still fresh in my mind. For me, those times out on the deck were the best part of their visits, but I don't think there was a day as beautiful as today during their times with us.

I think the hummingbirds thought today was especially beautiful, too, because they were showing up a little more frequently than usual and coming every few minutes.

So, I decided to get the camera.

Taking the pictures and trying to get the hummingbirds on video broke the spell a little for me, but I just had to share it with y'all. And I can go out there tomorrow and experience the same thing again, so I didn't really mind.I know each of you has a little bit of heaven on earth some where in your lives and I hope you get to enjoy it today. For you that might be a garden or a spot in the sun or by the water or just cuddling with someone you love. I have been reading a lot lately about how being in the moment, just in the present, is the way to find peace and some even think that at that moment when there is no past or future but just the 'now', we are in the presence of God. So, I guess it would be appropriate to feel as if there was a little bit of heaven on earth for me when I was surrounded by such peacefulness and beauty. If nothing else, it certainly soothes the soul.

Having some of you here with me would have made it perfect, but for now this will have to do. Now, the video is a little rough, and I apologize, but you should be able to get the idea. For some reason I couldn't post through the blog site so I am trying to do it through YouTube. Hope it works.